Plate 9. Trench 20 - general view of excavation at depth
York Archaeological Trust
Trenches 19 and 20, which were located on the east side of Garden Place, north of Carmelite Street were grouped together on the basis of their shared location within the precinct of a Carmelite Friary, which dated from 1295-1538. It was hoped that the trenches would provide evidence of this important institution.
In addition to researching the Carmelite Friary, Trench 20 was excavated to 5.50m below ground level to examine the evidence of pre-medieval land use in the area. The trench was located on the line of a postulated Roman road leading from the south-east gate of the Roman fortress (OS 1988). Relatively little is known about land use in this area during the Anglo-Scandinavian period although there is evidence for activity of this date in the vicinity (Macnab 1999b, 8).
Following suppression of the friary in 1538 the area appears to have remained largely open ground, indeed as late as 1822 the area was gardens to the rear of properties fronting Hungate (Edward Baines' map 1822). It is probable that this open ground was used for dumping rubbish and it was expected that these deposits would provide evidence for living conditions nearby.
Trench 19 was 1.50m x 5.00m in size, 1.50m deep and was largely excavated by machine. Context number 19000 was allocated to stray finds recovered from the machining process.
The earliest deposit seen was soft to sticky mid-dark grey-brown clayey-silt containing 13th century pottery (context 19056). This deposit probably predates the Carmelite Friary. Environmental analysis of this deposit yielded charcoal, coal, some charred and uncharred seeds including flax, a small assemblage of fish bones and vole bones. This suggests that a certain amount of rubbish dumping was taking place in the area.
Cutting the upper surface of context 19056 were two cuts seen only in the base of the trench (contexts 19053 and 19055). Cut 19055 was filled with dark grey-brown gritty clay-silt (context 19054). This cut is difficult to interpret as it lay largely beyond the area of excavation, but was probably for the disposal of rubbish. Context 19053 was a linear cut 0.55m in width, backfilled with soft mid-dark grey brown gritty clayey-silt which was dated by pottery as 13/14th century (context 19052). The linear nature of cut 19052 suggests that it functioned as a drainage gully. Sealing the above contexts was a 0.40m thick deposit of soft-friable brown clay-silt with 10th -14th century pottery (context 19047) interpreted as horticultural soil.
The earliest deposit of this phase was friable dark grey-brown clay-silt containing 19th century pottery (context 19046) which is interpreted as a possible garden soil. To the east of 19046 was a series of tips of clinker (contexts19044, 19057, 19045) which may have been intended to raise and level the ground surface in the area. Above the clinker dumps were three deposits of clayey-silt (contexts 19036, 19033, 19058) which probably represent tipping, possibly of night-soil, in the area. Cutting into 19046 and 19058 was a pit (context 19043), filled with gritty, ashy, sandy-silt (context 19042), loosely compacted gritty silty-sand dated by pottery as 18/19th century (context 19041) and friable clay silt (context 19040). The presence of clinker in the fills suggests that cut 19043 may have been dug for the disposal of industrial waste.
Sealing context 19040 was soft dark grey-brown clayey-silt (context 19039). Above context 19033 were two thin deposits of buff sand and sandy-mortar (contexts 19032 and 19031). The even upper surfaces of contexts 19032, 19031 and 19039 suggests that these contexts may represent levelling deposits for a floor of which no trace survived. Context 19031 was cut by a vertically sided cut (context 19030), which was heavily truncated by later features, and its original function is impossible to assess. Backfilling context 19030 was friable gritty clayey-silt with frequent mortar and occasional fragments of tile (context 19029/19038) which may represent a levelling deposit.
The upper surface of the night-soil context 19036 was truncated by a vertically sided cut with a flat base (context 19035) which was brick lined (context 19034) and is interpreted as a brick lined cellar. Also above the earlier garden soil context 19046 was a vertically sided circular cut 1.10m deep and 1.80m wide (context 19049). Within cut 19049 a circular brick lining had been constructed (context 19050) and the gap between 19050 and 19049 had been filled with soft sticky plastic clay (context 19051) and dark grey-brown gritty sandy silt (context 19063). Contexts 19049-19051 clearly represent a brick lined well. The well was subsequently filled with brick rubble and mortar (context 19064).
Sealing context 19029 and 19038 was a succession of thin deposits with level surfaces, typical of occupation. These consisted of light brown sand (contexts 19028/19062) black-grey gritty sandy-silt (contexts 19027/19061), moderately compacted sandy-mortar associated with 20th century pottery (contexts 19026/19060), loosely compacted pink-brown ash (contexts 19025/19059) and friable mid orange-brown clay-silt with occasional charcoal, mortar and brick flecks (context 19037).
Figure 15. Trench 19 - north-west facing section. Scale 1:20
The upper surfaces of contexts 19037 and 19025 were truncated by a linear cut 1.00m deep and 0.60m wide (context 19021) which was filled with loose mid-dark grey-brown gritty silt-sand with ash and clinker and modern pottery (context 19020). The interpretation of cut 19021 is uncertain, its profile suggests a service trench, however no trace of a pipe or cable was found within it. Context 19021 was probably dug for the disposal of industrial waste. The upper surface of context 19025 was also truncated by a modern ceramic service pipe trench which ran obliquely across the south-western corner of the trench (contexts 19024, 19023, 19022).
Sealing backfill 19020 was dark grey-black gritty ash (context 19019) which could represent either dumping of industrial ash, or levelling to create an even surface. It was truncated by a shallow construction cut 1.50m wide and 0.20m deep (context 19010) which contained a levelling deposit (context 19009) and a concrete yard surface (context 19008). Sealing context 19008 was loosely compacted red-grey gritty ash and clinker (context 19003) which probably represents the disposal of industrial waste to create an even surface. Context 19003 was beneath a modern ceramic drain, which clearly no longer functioned (context 19048, 19004). Also cutting 19003 was a modern cable trench 0.75m deep with associated cables and backfills (contexts 19011-19018). Context 19011 was truncated by a live sewer pipe and associated cut which extended the full length of the northern side of the trench (contexts 19005-7).
Sealing context 19004 and 19005 was limestone hardcore (context 19002) which was the levelling deposit for the present concrete surface of the yard (context 19001) which was at 9.44m AOD.
Trench 20 was excavated to a maximum depth of 5.50m below the present ground level. The trench was roughly 2.80m x 2.80m in size for the uppermost 2.80m of deposits, and 2.05m x 2.05m in size for the lower 2.70m of deposits excavated. The uppermost 1.60m of deposits were removed by machine, all deposits below this depth were hand excavated.
The earliest deposit encountered was very wet pale grey-brown loose running sand (context 20100) the upper surface of which was at 4.05m AOD. The sand could not be excavated across the entire area of the trench for safety reasons, but a small sondage was excavated which showed that it contained black manganese marbling and thin lenses of pale grey silt, gravel and clay. There were no traces of any material of human origin within the sand and it is interpreted as naturally occurring, which was confirmed by environmental analysis.
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Plate 9. Trench 20 - general view of excavation at depth |
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Sealing context 20100 was mid orange-brown fine grained sandy-silt marbled with pale to mid grey brown sandy-silt with occasional charcoal and 2nd/3rd century pottery (context 20099). As with context 20100 it was only possible to excavate a small sondage through 20099 for safety reasons. Environmental assessment suggested that this material had been deposited naturally within a river, suggesting that the River Foss had once extended at least this far northwards.
The upper surface of context 20099 was truncated by a linear cut, which ran from the north-eastern to the south-western corner of the trench (context 20098). This had steep sides and a rounded base and was filled with mixed deposits of humic-plastic mid grey brown clayey-silt and mid orange-brown fine to medium grained sand with 1st-4th century brick fragments (context 20097). As the cut lay partly outside the excavated area it is not possible to be sure of the function, but it was probably a drainage ditch leading to the River Foss.
Above context 20097 was a series of deposits which in total raised the level of the ground by 0.70m (contexts 20091-20097). These all contained decayed rootlets and charcoal flecks and were dated to the 2nd/3rd century by pottery. The earliest of these deposits was loose-plastic clayey-sand with slag, pebbles and angular stones (context 20096), which was beneath stiff-plastic blue-grey silty-clay with stone fragments (context 20095).
Fragments of a single human humerus were found in contexts 20095 and 20096 suggesting that the material had been redeposited. Context 20095 was below orange-brown silty-sand (contexts 20094) which was in turn sealed by brown gritty silty-sand with patches of stiff blue clay (context 20093). Environmental analysis of context 20094 yielded fragments of charcoal and coal. Sealing context 20093 was brown gritty sandy-silt (context 20092). Above context 20092 was friable humic grey-brown gritty clayey-silt with organic patches (context 20091) the upper surface of which sloped away noticeably towards the south-western corner of the trench. Much of the pottery from these deposits had a very 'rolled' appearance, which may imply abrasion by water.
Sealing the eastern half of context 20091 was compacted organic-humic sandy silt with moderate pebbles and 2nd/3rd century pottery (context 20090). The south-eastern edge of 20090 sloped very dramatically southwards but it was not possible at the time of excavation to determine if this slope was a deliberate cut or not. A linear cut oriented roughly south to north (context 20088) truncated the upper surface of 20090. The trench was only 0.06m deep, with steep sides and a gently rounded base, which sloped from south to north slightly. In the base of the trench was a circular depression 0.14m in diameter, which was probably the remains of a post-hole. It seems that context 20090 represents a deliberate firm surface into which a gully was dug. The gully is clearly not for drainage as it sloped away from, rather than towards the River Foss. The gully seems to have been structural, possibly for a timber sleeper beam and post structure.
Context 20088 was filled with compacted coarse pebbles and small cobbles in mid orange-brown gritty sandy-silt with 2nd/3rd pottery (context 20087). The deliberate infilling of gully 20088 with gravel implies that any timber structures were deliberately removed prior to the deposition of context 20087. Sealing context 20087 was yellow-orange sand with grey-black manganese mottling (context 20086), which was beneath a spread of small-medium cobbles in mid brown humic organic clayey-silty sand (context 20085). The latter deposit was pottery dated to the 2nd or 3rd century. It is possible that both contexts 20088 and 20087 represent deliberate levelling deposits for context 20085, which was clearly a cobble surface. Some 13-16th century tile recorded as being from context 20086 must be contamination from the insertion of the shoring.
Above the south-western edge of context 20090 was a friable mid-dark brown highly organic gritty sandy-silt with charcoal flecks, small wood fragments and 2nd/3rd century pottery (context 20089). Context 20090 was in turn below plastic grey silty-clay with frequent charcoal and moderate stones, pebbles and 2nd/3rd century pottery (context 20084). It seems that both of these deposits were dumps or levelling.
Figure 16. Trench 20 - north-west facing section. Scale 1:40
The upper surface of context 20084 was truncated by a pit (context 20083) only a quarter of which was located within the excavated area. The cut was presumably circular in plan and had vertical sides and a flat base. It was filled with a succession of highly organic fills, the earliest of which was friable dark grey-green organic clayey-silt which incorporated the severely decayed remains of a wicker pit lining (context 20082). Context 20082 was dated by pottery to the 10th century. Subsequent fills of the pit were dark grey-brown organic silt with decayed wood fragments (context 20081) and dark brown-grey highly organic sandy-silt again with 10th century pottery (context 20080).
Sealing context 20080 was a series of organic deposits (contexts 20073-20079) which in total raised the ground level by 1.36m. These deposits formed a continuous sequence of dumps ranging in date from the 10th to 13/14th centuries. Sealing context 22080 was a 0.44m thick deposit of friable-plastic slightly humic mid grey-brown gritty clayey-silt which was removed as two spits (contexts 20079 and 20078). The earlier spit (20079) was dated by pottery to the 10th century and the later spit was dated as 10th-11th century. Environmental analysis of a sample from context 20079 yielded charred cereal grains, charcoal and wood fragments. Sealing context 20078 was a 0.64m thick deposit of compacted grey silty-clay with patches of organic material again removed as three spits. The earlier spit (context 20077) was dated by pottery to the 10th -11th by pottery but to the 13-16th century by tile. The second spit (context 20073) was dated by pottery to the 10th -12th/13th centuries and 11-12th century by tile/brick. Charcoal, cereal grains, weed seeds and a charred flax seed were recovered from this deposit, together with bones from herring, eel, a single cow bone fragment and a single cat bone. The uppermost spit (context 20070) was dated as 13/14th century by pottery. There is clearly some cross-contamination of pottery and tile between these arbitrary spits, but they clearly build up between the 10th and 13/14th centuries. Very little animal bone came from the Phase 5 deposits and those fragments recovered were small and poorly preserved but suggest dumping of primary butchery waste.
Following prolonged use of the area for dumping a succession of structural features was constructed. Above contexts 20070 and 20073 was a linear structure, probably a fence, aligned roughly north-west to south-east across the trench. This consisted of six stake holes, two degraded stakes and a larger post-hole with stone packing. Five of the stake-holes were circular and c.0.10m in diameter and one was rectangular and 0.10m x 0.08m in size (contexts 20054, 20056, 20058, 20063, 20065 and 20067). The post-hole (context 20071) was 0.40m x 0.30m in size, 0.14m deep and lined with small stones and compacted tiles (context 20071). Context 20076 was a decayed stake which was too rotten to recover, but the remaining stake (context 20075) measured 130mm x 30mm x 20mm.
At the same stratigraphic horizon but on a totally different alignment to the timber structure/fence described above was a narrow gully, 0.15m deep, aligned north-north-west to south-south-east, with steep almost vertical sides and a rounded base which sloped gently from north to south (context 20069). This gully was lined with tiles set on edge and a limestone block (context 20068), and was dated by pottery to the 14th century. It was not possible to determine whether the gully and timber fence were contemporary.
Both features subsequently went out of use and were backfilled. Context 20069 was filled with grey gritty clayey-silt (context 20052). The structure/fence stake holes were filled with moderately compacted mid grey slightly sandy-clay (contexts 20053, 20055, 20057, 20062, 20064 and 20066).
Context 20070 was also truncated by a linear cut running north-east to south-west in the extreme north-western corner of the trench (context 20074). This had steep sides and a rounded base, and was filled with compacted dark brown-grey slightly organic gritty clayey-silt with 10th -14th century pottery and 13th-16th century tile (context 20060). Context 20074/20060 was clearly re-cut (context 20061). Within cut 20061 was a badly decayed wicker lining (context 20059) consisting of interwoven twigs up to 0.02m in diameter. Some very decayed scraps of wood may also have formed part of the lining originally. The lining was filled with compacted loose dark brown-grey clayey-silt with occasional clinker, tile, wood, and charcoal (context 20051), which was dated by pottery to the 14th century. Environmental analysis of context 20051 showed that the deposit was mostly charcoal, cinders or ash, but remains of fen and bog peat were also found and stable manure was also present. A small fragment of wood (context 20050) which measured 0.05m x 0.02m x 0.02m in size was above context 20051. These gullies almost certainly post-date the timber structure/fence (contexts 20054, 20056, 2058, 20063, 20065, 20067, 20071, 20075 and 20076) but their relationship to gully 20069 was not possible to determine.
To the east of gullies 20074/20061 were two levelling deposits of moist-plastic olive green to dark brown gritty silty clay with 13th-16th century tile (context 20048) and firmly compacted dark brown-grey silty clay with 13/14th century pottery and 14th-16th century tile (context 20049). These formed the bedding for a surface of small to large horizontally laid tile fragments with large cobbles compacted into grey brown sandy silty-clay, associated with 11th -14th century pottery and 14th-16th century tile (context 20047). It is unclear if this surface originally related to the two gullies 20074/20062 but these features were on similar alignments, which may imply a path and related drainage.
Following the 14th century structural sequence described above, the area seems to have been intensively used for dumping and pit digging. This phase dates to between the 14th and the 15/16th centuries.
The earliest dump was of friable to plastic olive green to grey-brown clayey-silt with 13th-16th century tile (context 20046). A pit cut (context 20045) 0.30m deep, and 1.50m x over 1.60m in size, which had steep sides and a slightly irregular base truncated context 20046. Cut 20045 was filled with friable mid-dark grey-brown gritty sandy silt containing 14th century pottery (context 20044). Sealing context 20044 was a build-up or dump of olive-green compacted gritty-silt with frequent charcoal and residual 13th century pottery (context 20037). Above context 20037 was a sub-rectangular cut with an uneven base, which measured 0.70m x 1.00m and 0.16m deep (context 20043). This was backfilled with grey-olive green moderately compact gritty silt with frequent charcoal and 13th-16th century tile (context 20042). Contexts 20042 and 20050 were then truncated by a sub-circular cut (context 20041) which extended beyond the excavated area. This measured 0.22m deep and had gently sloping sides and a flat base. Cut 20041 was filled with friable to plastic grey-brown gritty clayey-silt and 13/14th century pottery (context 20040). Context 20040 was itself truncated by an irregularly shaped cut, which extended beyond the excavated area and was 0.22m deep (context 20039). Cut 20039 was filled with compact dark grey very gritty silt which contained 14th century pottery (context 20038). Above context 20038 was a build up of dumped deposit. This consisted of dark grey compacted silt with frequent pebbles, covered the entire trench and contained abundant 11th -14th century pottery and 14th-16th century tile (context 20036). It is possible that context 20036 represents a deliberate attempt to seal all of the earlier pits and create a level surface in the area.
Context 20036 was beneath a second series of intercut pits, the earliest of which dated to the 14th century. The primary pit in this sequence (context 20031) was both largely outside the area of excavation and heavily truncated by later pits, making its original shape impossible to determine. Context 20031 was 0.25m deep with gently sloping sides and an uneven base. Filling pit 20031 was firmly compacted dark grey sandy-silt with 13th-16th century tile (context 20030). A sub-rectangular cut, over 0.80m x 1.90m in size and 0.25m deep (context 20029) truncated context 20030. Cut 20029 was filled with mid-dark brown friable silty-sandy-clay with 14th century pottery (context 20028). Context 20028 was beneath a semi-circular cut, largely outside the area of excavation, which had steeply sloping sides (context 20027). This was filled with friable pale grey-brown gritty-sandy-silt with frequent brick fragments and charcoal with 13-16th century tile (context 20026). Above context 20026 was a dump or build-up deposit of mid-dark grey-brown friable-plastic gritty-clay-silt with 14th century pottery (context 20025).
The pit digging continued throughout the 15th century. Cutting context 20030 was a small sub-rectangular pit (context 20035) with gently sloping sides and a sloping base, which was filled with friable dark-grey gritty sand containing 15th century pottery (context 20034). Context 20034 was beneath a sub-rectangular pit, 1.10m x over 1.50m in size and 0.23m deep, with almost vertical sides and a slightly uneven base (context 20032) which was filled with dark grey-brown friable clayey-silt containing residual 14th century pottery, 14-16th century tile and a pinner's bone (context 20033). Context 20033 was truncated by two cuts (context 20023 and 20022). Cut 20023 was a rectilinear pit 0.40m deep, partly outside the area of excavation, with steep sides and a flat base, which was filled with moist-friable mid-dark grey-brown gritty sandy clayey silt with 15th century pottery (context 20016). Cut 20022 was a sub-circular pit, largely outside the area of excavation, with almost vertical sides and a flat base, which was filled with friable dark brown-grey silty-clay with residual 14th century pottery (context 20021).
Context 20021 was below a sub-rectangular cut, again largely outside the area of excavation, which was 0.27m deep with almost vertical sides and a flat base (context 20020). Pit 20020 was filled with dark grey brown silty-clay with 15th century pottery (context 20019). Truncating context 20019 was a roughly oval cut, measuring 1.00m x 0.70m and 0.11m deep with steeply sloping sides and a concave base (context 20014), which was filled with friable dark grey-brown slightly sandy silty-clay with 14/15th century pottery (context 20013). A sub-rectangular cut, partly outside the area of excavation, which was 0.85m x over 0.85m in size and 0.20m deep (context 20011) truncated context 20013. Cut 20011 was filled with friable grey-dark brown silty-clay with 15th century pottery (context 20010).
Context 20025 was truncated by three later cuts (contexts 20006, 20024 and 20017). Cut 20006 was a sub-rectangular cut 0.16m x 0.10m in size and 0.05m deep, which was filled with friable mid-dark brown silt (context 20003). Cut 20017, which was largely outside the area of excavation, had concave sides and a flat base and was filled with friable moist orange-brown gritty sandy-silt with 15th century pottery (context 20015). Context 20024 was a circular cut, largely outside the area of excavation, with very steep sides and a flat base. The primary fill of pit 20024 was moderately compacted dark grey slightly sandy-clayey-silt with very degraded fragments of wood, possibly originally a wicker lining, and 15th century pottery (context 20018). Environmental analysis of this context yielded decayed wood fragments, but also animal hair, which may have originated from the working of skins or textiles. The pit was subsequently filled with a series of backfills. The earliest was orange-brown to dark grey gritty sandy-silt with 15th century pottery (context 20012) which was beneath loosely compacted fine grained crushed brick and mortar fragments with mid brown silty-sand and 15th century pottery (context 20008). The uppermost fill was friable very dark grey-black gritty sandy-silt (context 20005) with 15th century pottery, late medieval knives (small finds 15 and 16) and a pinner's bone (small find 184).
The most recent pit excavated was a circular pit, largely outside the area of excavation (context 20009), which cut contexts 20015 and 20010. Pit 20009 measured 0.90m in diameter and 0.23m deep and had gently sloping sides and a concave base. Cut 20009 was filled with dark grey-brown friable gritty sandy-silty-clays (contexts 20007 and 20004) which contained 15th century pottery and 15/16th century pottery respectively.
Analysis of animal bone from a number of these pit fills (20005, 20008, 20013, 20016, 20018 and 20033) showed evidence of butchery, many of the bones having been split longitudinally. There was also a wide variety of species present including cattle (both juvenile and adult carcasses having been butchered), caprovids, pig, chickens, geese, fallow and roe deer. Context 2008 even contained bones from razorbill or guillemot. The bones are interpreted as representing kitchen/domestic refuse possibly from high status occupation.
Moist friable mid-dark grey gritty sandy-silt (context 20002) was recorded on site as the uppermost fill of the pit 20024 but it contained pottery of a far later date (16-17th century) than expected. It is possible that 20002 represents slumping of post-medieval material into the earlier pit. Sealing all of the above contexts was friable dark grey-black gritty sandy-clayey-silt (context 20001) which covered the entire trench and was removed by machine at the start of the excavations.
Context 20001 was beneath a modern concrete surface bedded on demolition rubble of 18/19th century date (context 20000).
Context 20100 (Trench 20 Phase 1) is interpreted as naturally occurring sand. Directly above this was a sequence of Roman deposits of 2nd/3rd century date (Trench 20 Phase 2). The earliest of these deposits (context 20099) seems to have been a dump. Above this was a linear cut, presumably for drainage (context 20098). The presence of this cut suggests that Trench 20 was not in the channel of the River Foss, as previously suggested (Ordnance Survey 1988). Above cut 20098 was a series of dumped deposits probably intended to reclaim and level the area (contexts 20091-20097). Much of the pottery from these contexts had a rolled appearance, which may be the result of water action, suggesting that the River Foss or a tributary stream were close by and that the area was prone to intermittent flooding. River silts were also located at between 4.63m and 5.63m AOD in a bore hole c.12m to the south-east of Trench 20 (Macnab 1999c, 22).
The dumping described above raised the ground level sufficiently to enable structural activity in the area (Trench 20 Phase 3). A compacted deposit (context 20090) represented levelling prior to the construction of a timber building. The evidence for a this consisted of a shallow sill-beam trench with a possible post-hole in the base (context 20088). The sill-beam was deliberately removed, and the trench was filled with compacted gravel (context 20087). The gravel was beneath a cobble surface bedded on sand (contexts 20086 and 20085) which may represent a Roman road surface. The steep slope on the south-eastern side of context 20090 may therefore be an associated drainage ditch. The surface and possible ditch are located almost exactly on the line of the presumed Roman road leading from the south-eastern gate of the fortress (OS 1988). However, Roman roads are typically several metres wide, in which case evidence of cobbles or metalling should have been found in an earlier probe-hole located less that 2m to the east of Trench 20 (Macnab 1999c, 15), which it was not. It is possible that the cobble surface is part of a yard. Subsequently the surface went out of use and the area was used for tipping (Trench 20 Phase 4).
There was no evidence for any activity in the area between the late Roman period and the 9th century. The earliest Anglo-Scandinavian feature was a wicker-lined pit presumably for rubbish disposal (contexts 20080-20083). This was sealed by a series of dumps, which formed a continuous sequence from the 10th to the 13/14th centuries and raised the ground level in the area by 1.30m (Trench 20 Phase 5 and Trench 19 Phase 1). This dumping implies that the adjacent area was settled from the 10th century and in the post-conquest period (after 1066) must have been dry land to the north-west of the King's Pool. It is unclear if the dumps represent deliberate land reclamation or random disposal of domestic waste.
The Carmelite Friars were given property in 1295 which extended north-south from the River Foss to Stonebow Lane (not the present Stonebow) and east-west from the rear of properties on the north-eastern side of Fossgate to 'le merske'. The precise location of 'le merske' is unknown, the Royal Commission identifies it as Hungate (RCHM 1981, 50), while Daniell places the boundary to the east of Hungate (Daniell 1991). In either case both Trenches 19 and 20 were within land identified as being part of the friary. The friary gateway, cemetery and church are all believed to have been located at the northern end of the friary lands (Daniell 1991, 32; RCHM 1981, 50) and the remaining claustral buildings were probably also in this area. The only surviving evidence for the friary is part of the presumed precinct wall, roughly 40m long located to the rear of properties on the north-eastern side of Fossgate. It is known that the friary boundary was made of wooden posts in the area of Foss Bridge, probably because the ground was too marshy for stonework (RCHM 1981, 51). In 1314 the friary was given permission to construct a quay on the King's Pool, which was tentatively identified in earlier excavations to the south of Carmelite Street (Hunter Mann 1991). The friary was surrendered to the crown in 1538.
Deposits dating to the Carmelite period were found in Trench 19 (Phase 2) and Trench 20 (Phases 6 and 7), however no trace of major claustral buildings was found in either trench. In Trench 20 there was some evidence of 14th century structural activity (Trench 20 Phase 6). A line of stakes and at least one larger post (contexts 20054, 20056, 20058, 20063, 20065, 20067, 20075-20076 and 20071/20072) ran north-west to south-east across the trench. It is not possible to determine whether this represents a wall from a timber building or a fence. As the fence/wall was undated it may have pre-dated or been contemporary with the Carmelite Friary. It was, however, at the same stratigraphic level as other 14th century features. The fence/wall was subsequently abandoned. A 14th century tile-lined gully (contexts 20068 and 20069) was presumably a drain of some kind, though whether it led to the River Foss or to a cistern is not possible to determine. This subsequently silted up (context 20052). There was also a drainage ditch (context 20074) which was recut following silting (context 20061). The re-cut ditch was wicker lined (context 20059) and it also eventually silted up (contexts 20051/20050). The presence of tiny globules of clinker in this fill implies metal working nearby. Subsequent dumping (contexts 20048-20049) levelled the area prior to the laying of a tile and cobble surface (context 20047). This surface seems to have been linear and oriented south-west to north-east. It may have been a path, but given the limited area of the trench it is not possible to be sure; the deposit could equally be a yard surface. A small dumped deposit above this surface (context 20046) may have been an attempt to infill a wear-hollow.
Subsequently the area was used for dumping and pit digging, a process that continued from the 14th century until the 15/16th century (Trench 20 Phase 7 and Trench 19 Phase 2). Environmental analysis of the pit fills identified the animal bone recovered as suggesting high status occupation of the site, which ties in neatly with their location within the precinct of a friary.
It seems that after the dissolution of the friary the area remained largely open ground until the early 19th century. John Speed's map of 1610 shows properties fronting onto Stonebow Lane (not the present Stonebow) with open ground behind continuing to the River Foss. Edward Baines' map of 1822 shows properties on fronting onto Stonebow Lane and Hungate with large gardens behind. Both Trenches 19 and 20 would have been located within these gardens. No evidence for any activity of this date was found in Trench 19 implying that the area was truncated in the mid 19th century. In Trench 20 there was a build up of garden type soils which seem to have accumulated from the 16th/17th century onwards (Trench 20 Phase 8).
The mid 19th century saw a dramatic change in land use in the area of the former friary. New streets had been created in the area (Carmelite Street, Wesley Place, Rushby Street, Hiram Place, Lowther Street and Garden Place) which were developed for terraced housing and industry (OS 1852 and 1909). These maps show terraced housing in the Trench 20 area, while Trench 19 was within the back yard of buildings fronting onto Hungate. No features of this date survived in Trench 20 although the present car park surface was on top of dumps of demolition debris which almost certainly came from the terraced housing fronting onto Garden Place. Trench 19 by contrast contained a great deal of 19th century contexts (Trench 19 Phases 3 and 4). These 19th century contexts directly overlay 14th century deposits, which implies that this area was deliberately levelled prior to the mid 19th century development and that the levelling effectively removed all 15th to 19th century deposits. The 19th century activity in Trench 19 consisted of dumps of industrial material and night soil, a pit for dumping industrially derived material, a series of occupation derived deposits probably yard surfaces and associated levelling, a pit of unknown function, a brick lined well and a brick lined cellar.
The 1937 Ordnance Survey map shows the area of Trenches 19 and 20 as devoid of buildings following slum clearance. In Trench 20 a dump of brick demolition rubble probably relates to the slum clearance. The area was subsequently developed for light industry. In Trench 19 (Phases 5-8) a series of modern deposits including thin occupation surfaces, dumping of industrial waste, service pipes and a concrete surface related to this modern land use. The uppermost deposit in both Trenches 19 and 20 consisted of the modern car park surface.
Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 4 | Group 5 | Group 6 | Group 7 | Group 8
